Reversed phase HPLC determination of zidovudine in rat plasma and its pharmacokinetics after a single intranasal dose administration

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of a muscarinic type-2 antagonist on cardiorespiratory function and intestinal transit in horses anesthetized with halothane and xylazine

Objective-To evaluate the cardiorespiratory and intestinal effects of the muscarinic type-2 (M-2) antagonist, methoctramine, in anesthetized horses.Animals-6 horses.Procedure-Horses were allocated to 2 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Anesthesia was maintained with halothane (1% end-tidal concentration) combined with a constant-rate infusion of xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg/h, IV) and mechanical ventilation. Hemodynamic variables were monitored after induction of anesthesia and for 120 minutes after administration of methoctramine or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control treatment). Methoctramine was given at 10-minute intervals (10 mug/kg, IV) until heart rate (HR) increased at least 30% above baseline values or until a maximum cumulative dose of 30 mug/kg had been administered. Recovery characteristics, intestinal auscultation scores, and intestinal transit determined by use of chromium oxide were assessed during the postanesthetic period.Results-Methoctramine was given at a total cumulative dose of 30 mug/kg to 4 horses, whereas 2 horses received 10 mug/kg. Administration of methoctramine resulted in increases in HR, cardiac output, arterial blood pressure, and tissue oxygen delivery. Intestinal auscultation scores and intestinal transit time (interval to first and last detection of chromium oxide in the feces) did not differ between treatment groups.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Methoctramine improved hemodynamic function in horses anesthetized by use of halothane and xylazine without causing a clinically detectable delay in the return to normal intestinal motility during the postanesthetic period. Because of their selective positive chronotropic effects, M-2 antagonists may represent a safe alternative for treatment of horses with intraoperative bracycardia.

Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in TP53 subtypes of bladder carcinoma cell lines treated with cisplatin and gemcitabine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Oral bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a critical discussion and two case reports

Background: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a clinical condition characterized by the presence of exposed bone in the maxillofacial region. Its pathogenesis is still undetermined, but may be associated with risk factors such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this paper is to report two unpublished cases of BRONJ in patients with RA and to conduct a literature review of similar clinical cases with a view to describe the main issues concerning these patients, including demographic characteristics and therapeutic approaches applied.Methods: Two case reports of BRONJ involving RA patients were discussedResults: Both patients were aging female taking alendronate for more than 3 years. Lesions were detected in stage II in posterior mandible with no clear trigger agent. The treatment applied consisted of antibiotics, oral rinses with chlorhexidine, drug discontinuation and surgical procedures. Complete healing of the lesions was achieved.Conclusions: This paper brings to light the necessity for rheumatologists to be aware of the potential risk to their patients of developing BRONJ and to work together with dentists for the prevention and early detection of the lesions. Although some features seem to link RA with oral BRONJ and act as synergistic effects, more studies should be developed to support the scientific bases for this hypothesis.

Abnormal cell-cycle expression of the proteins p27, mdm2 and cathepsin B in oral squamous-cell carcinoma infected with human papillomavirus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Oxacillin Resistance and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Other Staphylococci Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Study of the electrochemical reduction of amoebicide Teclozan and its amperometric determination in pharmaceutical formulations

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Potentiometric Sensor for Furosemide Determination in Pharmaceuticals, Urine, Blood Serum and Bovine Milk

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Development of a potentiometric sensor for the determination of saccharin in instant tea powders, diet soft drinks and strawberry dietetic jam

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of a potentiometric flufenamate ISE and its application to pharmaceutical and clinical analyses

The characteristics, performance, and application of an electrode, namely, Pt vertical bar Hg vertical bar Hg-2(FF)(2)vertical bar Graphite, where FF stands for flufenamate ion, are described. This electrode responds to FF with sensitivity of (-58.6 +/- 1.2) mV decade(-1) over the range 1.0 x 10(-6) - 1.0 x 10(-2) mol L-1 at pH 6.0-9.0 and a detection limit of 7.1 x 10(-7) mol L-1. The electrode is easily constructed at a relatively low cost with fast response time (within 10-25 s) and can be used for a period of 5 months without any considerable change in its performance characteristics. The proposed electrode displayed good selectivity for flufenamate in the presence of several substances as well as in the presence of some carboxylate and inorganic anions. The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of flufenamic acid in pharmaceuticals and human serum samples.

Identification of Eimeria mitis and Eimeria praecox in broiler feces using polymerase chain reaction

There are few reports concerning the epidemiology of Eimeria praecox and Eimeria mitis in Brazil. In the present experiment, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify these species in 156 samples of broiler chicken feces from several Brazilian states and the Federal District. Oocysts present in feces samples were purified by sodium chloride flotation followed by addition of DNAzol reagent (Invitrogen®) for extraction of genomic DNA. DNA was precipitated and stored following DNAzol reagent manufacture's instructions. The primers and PCR conditions were as described by Schnitzler et al. (1999). In the 156 field samples analyzed by PCR, 70 and 45 were positive for E. praecox and E. mitis, respectively. In this study we have shown that DNA extraction using DNAzol followed by PCR can be a useful tool in epidemiological studies, since it provides fast and reliable detection of Eimeria sp. in field samples.

Development of a potentiometric mefenamate ion sensor for the determination of mefenamic acid in pharmaceuticals and human blood serum

The characteristics, performance, and application of a novel and simple electrode, namely Pt vertical bar Hg vertical bar Hg-2(MF)(2)vertical bar Graphite, where MF stands for mefenamate ion, are described. This electrode responds to MF with sensitivity of (58.9 +/- 0.7) mV decade(-1) over the range 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-2) mol L-1 at pH 6.0-9.0 and a detection limit of 6.2 x 10(-7) mol L-1. The electrode is easily constructed at a relatively low cost with fast response time (within 10-25 s) and can be used for a period of 4 months without significant change in its performance characteristics. The proposed sensor displayed good selectivity for mefenamate in the presence of several substances, especially concerning carboxylate and inorganic anions. The potentiometric sensor was successfully applied to the determination of mefenamic acid in pharmaceuticals and human serum samples. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amperometric differential determination of ascorbic acid in beverages and vitamin C tablets using a flow cell containing an array of gold microelectrodes modified with palladium

A simple and attractive method for quantification of ascorbic acid (AA) in beers, soda, natural juices and commercial vitamin C tablets was achieved by combining Bow injection analysis and amperometric detection. An array of gold microelectrodes electrochemically modified by deposition of palladium was employed as working electrode which was almost unaffected by fouling effects. Ascorbic acid was quantified in beverages and vitamin tablets using amperometric differential measurements. This method is based on three steps involving the flow injection of: 1) the sample plus a standard addition of AA, 2) the pure sample, and 3) the enzymatically-treated sample. The enzymatic treatment was carried out with Cucumis sativus tissue, which is a rich source of ascorbate oxidase, at pH 7. The calibration plots for freshly prepared ascorbic acid standards were very linear in the concentration range of 0.18-1.8 mg L-1 with a relative standard deviation (RSD) < 1%, while for real samples the deviations were between 2.7% to 8.9%.

Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. Flaccumfaciens detection in bean seeds using a semi-selective culture medium

The bacterial wilt caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens is currently considered one of the most important bacterial bean disease in Brazil. One of the most effective control methods against this disease is the use of healthy seeds. However, no methods are known that could be routinely used to detect this bacterium in bean seeds under Brazilian condition. The aim of this work was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative detection methods for Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in naturally-infected bean seeds, and the detection of this pathogen in thirty bean seed samples, by sowing onto a semi- selective culture medium the leachate obtained from soaked bean seeds. Both the qualitative and quantitative methods were effective for detecting the presence of the bacteria in the seeds samples analysed. The qualitative method proved more practical for rotine use; of the thirty bean seed samples analyzed by this method, fifty percent were infected with Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.

Indoor radon measurements and methodologies in Latin American countries

According to the current international guidelines concerning environmental problems, it is necessary to evaluate and to know the indoor radon levels, specially since most of the natural radiation dose to man comes from radon gas and its progeny. Several countries have established National Institutions and National Programs for the study of radon and its connection with lung cancer risk and public health. The aim of this work is to present the indoor radon measurements and the detection methods used for different regions of Latin America (LA) in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. This study shows that the passive radon devices based on alpha particle nuclear track methodology (NTM) is one of the more generalized methods in LA for long term indoor radon measurements, CR-39, LR-115 and Makrofol being the more commonly used detector materials. The participating institutions and the radon level measurements in the different countries are presented in this contribution. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.